Film convolution retaining device

ABSTRACT

An anti-unwrapping device usable in a cartridge accepting a reel containing film wound in convolutions about the reel hub, the outer film convolutions having a tendency to unwrap, the device having a base member from which a plurality of yieldable fingers extend with the free ends thereof arranged to engage the outermost convolution of the film.

United States Patent Prelletz 1 Sept. 26, 1972 {54] FILM CONVOLUTIONRETAINING 3,288,388 11/1966 Winkler ..242/7l.1

V DE ICE FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [72] Inventor: Edward R.Prelletz, Chicago, Ill. 4 1,897,740 7/1964 Germany ..242/7l.l

[73] Assignee: Bell & Howell Company, Chicago,

Primary Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder Attorney-James P. Hume, Patrick H.Hume, Howard [22] filed 1970 W. Clement, Howard B. Rockman, Wm. Marshall[21] Appl. No.: 7,715 Lee, Henry L. Brinks, Clyde F. Willian, GrangerCook, .lr., Richard G. Lione, Roy E. Hofer, RohertP. Cummins, Gerald D.Hosier, David A. Anderson, [22] :JSIll James P. Blanchard Robert LHarmon. Melvin F. 1] nt. jagerjack c BerenzweigJohn L Cline Raymond P[58] Field of Search ..242/197, 199, 55.2, 68.7, 71, Niro and Charles E.Quarton 206/52, 53 57 ABSTRACT [56] References Cited An anti-unwrappingdevice usable in a cartridge acceptmg a reel containing film wound inconvolutions UNITED STATES PATENTS about the reel hub, the outer filmconvolutions having a tendency to unwrap, the device having a base2,236,917 4/1941 Pollock ..242/71.l member from which a plurality ofyieldable fingers 2,709,050 5/1955 Mansberg ..242/71.l tend with thefree ends thereof arranged to engage the 2,72 l NCI'WII'I outermostconvolution of the 3,095,969 7/1963 MOI'I'ISOI] ..206/53 3,282,527 11/1966 Dlncerti ..242/7l.l 24 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures .1 FILMCONVOLUTION RETAINING DEVICE The present invention relates to a filmretaining cartridge usable with a film handling machine, andparticularly to a film anti-unwrapping device to maintain in wrappedcondition the outer convolutions of a film, which when wound inconvolutions, has a tendency to unwrap.

Known cartridge constructions for containing motion picture films havebeen successful where the operator is to manually thread the film intothe machine. However, cartridges usable on machines intended forautomatic threading of the film into the machine are subject tothreading failure on some attempts when a film is to be automaticallythreaded solely by a mechanical stripping and guiding mechanism. Thefailures can often be traced, in machines such as motion pictureprojectors, to the tendency of film to unwrap unless constrained toremain in relatively tight convolutions. In such instances, thethreading device of the projector is unable to engage the leading end ofthe film and guide it into the threading path of the projector. Thisinability of the threading device to perform is caused by looseness ofthe outer film convolutions whereby the leading end of the film movesloosely within the cartridge, but does not follow readily the internaledge wall of the cartridge.

Also, the threading device may cause shifting and deformation of theloose convolutions relative to the more tightly wound innerconvolutions. The shifting tends to move the upper convolutions againstthe enclosure to restrict the movement of the leading end of the filmtherebetween and around the adjacent convolution. Since the filmthreading device drives by frictional engagement with the film,restricting movement of the leading end creates a greater probability offailure of the film thread.

By the use of the anti-unwrapping or retainer device of the presentinvention, a successful threading operationis assured since the leadingend of a filmcannot be restricted or jammed. The interrupted effectivefilm guide surface of the device prevents continuous engagement of theouter convolution, and thus permits relatively unrestricted movement ofthe film end.

Hence, the threading device is permitted to function in the mannerintended.

Further, in known film containing magazines and cartridges used tosupply film for cameras and projectors, anti-unwrapping devices havebeen constructed. However, these containers are designed to retaincontinuously the film supplied therein. That is, the film is transportedfrom a supply in one portion of the container, past an opening, and to atake-up without any length of film being removed from the container.Typical containers having versions of film anti-unwrapping devicesaredescribed in U. S. Pat. Nos. 1,953,985 and 2,022,353. The devicesused in the containers of these patents are arranged to engage the filmat substantially one point about the circumference of the roll of film.Since the film ends are not intended to be released from the supply andtake-up of the cartridge, the retainer device is not intended to preventunwrap of the outer convolutions of the film. Hence, the intendedfunction is different from the function of the present invention.

.Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from the following detailed description of theembodiment which appears in the drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge, theanti-unwrapping device of the invention, and a reel of film; I

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cartridge section having theanti-unwrapping device supported therein; and

FIG. 3 is a view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 10 refers generally to acartridge having separable first and second sections 14 and 16. Each ofthe sections comprises a substantially planar surface 18, 20respectively, and complementary and partialedge wall portions 22, 24.The sections, when together, form a partially closed container havingselected areas of the edge walls cut out to form an access area,generally designated by the numeral 25, for a not shown threading deviceof a motion picture projector, a reel driver access area, generallydesignated by the numeral 26, and an exit and entrance area for film 30,which, in the embodiment depicted, coincides with the reel driver area.It will be understood, of course, that the three areas may be combinedor discrete. When a cartridge is mounted on a machine, the access areasare generally through the downward edge and the relatively lower andadjacent portions of the side edge walls of the cartridge. The single ormultiple access areas are thus positioned in association withcooperating components of the projector.

The cartridge 10 is provided with a spindle 28, adapted to receive areel 34. About the hub 36 of reel 34, film 30 is wound in a series ofconvolutions. The reel has a pair of spaced flanges 38, of apredetermined diameter D, which diameter depends upon its intendedcapacity, or the length of film to be wound about the reel. Insofar assmall capacity reels are concerned, the film wrap of all convolutionsincluding the outermost convolution is about a relatively smalldiameter. Thus, unless restrained, the outer and adjacent convolutionstend to unwrap or clockspring. The degree of unwrap when a reel iswithin a cartridge section is limited essentially by the effectiveinternal diameter of the cartridge edge wall surfaces. To enable a reelof a given diameter to fit in the cartridge, the effective internalsurfaces of the cartridge are configured to provide a small space aroundthe periphery of the reel.

To prevent inadvertent unwrap or clockspringing of the film or web 30,an anti-unwrapping or retainer device, generally designated by thenumeral 40 is provided within the cartridge. The device, preferablymolded of plastic, includes a base portion 42, and, for purposes ofillustration, several yieldable spring members or fingers 44, 46, 48. Itshould be understood, however, that the device will perform its intendedfunction with a lesser number of fingers. The fingers are designed toextend inwardly from the base portion relative to a circumferentialcircle defined by the base portion. That is, the device appears as asubstantially circular member extending around substantially 270 of acircle. The open area, between the Chordally spaced apart ends of thedevice, permits access of a threading device, and exit and entrance of afilm relative to the cartridge.

Retainer device 40 is configured to be of a thickness t, which isapproximately one-half the spacing between flanges 38 of the reel to becontained within the cartridge. Ledge portions 50, formed withincartridge section 16 adjacent rim portions 52 therein, support the basemember of the device to essentially center the device between theflanges of the reel when the reel is inserted in the cartridge. 4

The internal peripheralsurfaces of base member 42 and of the yieldablefingers of the retainer device are shaped as a V groove 54. The surfacesof the V are smooth so that a film, within the cartridge and retainerdevice, engages the outer riding or film contact surfaces of the V withlow frictional contact. in this manner, whenever the film engages theretainer device, the interengaging force is insufficient to damage thefilm due to scratches or tearing.

Yieldable finger portions 44, 46, 48 are formed unitary with base member42. Relative to the base member, these portions extend inwardly of theeffective circle of the member. These finger portions in a freecondition extend to within the periphery of the flanges 38 of the reelso as to preclude escape of the film from between the flanges-Effectiveor active surfaces of the finger portions are generated as involutesurfaces, each surface being scribed from a center 60 displaced from thegeometrical center 62 of the retainer device and of a section of thecartridge, assuming the device to be disposed centrally within thecartridge section. Aside from the most clockwise of the yieldableportions which is free-standing, base member 42, adjacent the yieldableportions, is reduced in radial depth to permit outward deflection of theportions. Hence, reels wound with a full capacity of film are acceptablewithin the cartridge.

Considering the retainer device in a clockwise manner as seen in FIG. 2,the initial portion of the base or first surface 42 of the device is arelatively rigid heel portion 58, formed as a relatively thicker andtherefore stiffer portion than the yieldable portions 44, 46, 48. Theheel portion has a circular effective surface, which surface. is scribedfrom geometrical center 62 of the device. The heel portion is configuredwith a radius greater than the maximum radial extent of the yieldableportions, when the latter are in free condition. From the heel portionto the end of the most remote of the yieldable portions, the diametertherebetween is less than the diameter of the periphery of the reelcontained in the cartridge. Further, the varying radii of the effectivesurfaces of the yieldable portions prevent the surfaces fromsimultaneous contact, so that the outer con volutions of film do notclamp adjacent convolutions. Since the convolutions of film arerestrained against undue unwrapping and the leading end is notrestricted, the end is relatively free to be unwound, and guided fromthe cartridge by the threading device of the projector.

Aside from possibly molding retainer device 40 unitarily with acartridge section, the device may be supported within the cartridgesection affixed to rim portions 52 either by cementing or ultrasonicwelding, by frictional engagement, by clipping, or by a combination ofthese methods. To cement or weld the device within the cartridge,portions 64, 66, 68 are attached to the interior of the cartridgesection. Likewise, these areas form the frictional engaging portionswhereby a general tendency of the device to spring outwardly maintainsthe device substantially fixed against cooperating portions within thecartridge section.

Clip means 72, 74, 76 may also be molded externally of retainer device40. Since the device is formed of plastic having relatively thinsections and when unmolded may spring slightly inwardly or slightlyoutwardly relative to the design configuration, the several clip meansare arranged to engage recessed portions 80, 82, 84 in the rim portion52 of a cartridge section. In this preferred embodiment, the clips areformed with a modified open U shaped cross-section so as to seat overrim portion 52 of the cartridge and to prevent radial movement of thedevice inwardly or outwardly of the rim portion. In addition to beingseated on the rim portion in a clamping relation, these clip means mayfurther be cemented to make the retainer device more secure within thecartridge section.

What is claimed is:

l. A web retaining device in combination with a cartridge adapted toaccept a reel, having flanges, containing a web wound inconvolutionsaround the hub of said reel, and adapted for use in automatic feed-outmeans, the improvement comprising:

a plurality of yieldable elements located within said cartridge, saidyieldable elements having free ends wherein said free ends extendbetween the flanges of said reel thereby retaining the web between saidflanges; and

access means located within said cartridge and said web retaining deviceadapted to enable said automatic feed-out means to pass into saidcartridge to permit said web to be fed from said reel in said cartridge.

2. The web retaining device of claim 1 wherein each of said yieldableelements extends from a base member and wherein said base member isconnected to said cartridge thereby orienting said device within saidcartridge in a preselected position.

3. The web retaining device of claim 2 wherein said base member issubstantially rigid and wherein each of said yieldable elements isadapted to substantially deflect thereby preventing said retainingdevice from causing said reel to bind.

4. The web retaining device of claim 3 wherein said yieldable elementsdefine at least three resilient fingers serially connected to oneanother thereby forming a noncircular curve.

5. The web retaining device of claim 4 wherein said yieldable elementscomprise a width less than the spacing of said reel flanges therebycausing said flanges to extend radially outwardly beyond said yieldableelements.

6. The web retaining device of claim 1 wherein said yieldable elementscooperate with each other to form a non-circular curve.

7. The web retaining device of claim 1 wherein said yieldable elementsfurther include a V shaped groove configuration which is adapted toengage said web at laterally spaced points.

8. The web retaining device of claim 1 wherein said device and saidcartridge comprise a unitary structure.

9. A web retaining device in combination with a cartridge adapted toaccept a reel having flanges, containing a web wound in convolutionsaround the hub of said reel, and adapted for use in automatic feed-outmeans, the improvement comprising:

a plurality of elements located within said cartridge, each of saidelements having a base portion and a flexible portion extending fromsaid base portion and wherein said flexible portions are adapted toextend between the flanges of said reel thereby retaining the webbetween said flanges; and

access means located within said cartridge and said web retaining deviceadapted to enable said automatic feed-out means to pass into saidcartridge to permit said web to be fed from said reel.

10. The web retaining device of claim 9 wherein the base portion of oneof said elements is connected to a second of said elements intermediatesaid base portion and said flexible portion of said second elementthereby forming a non-circular curve.

11. The web retaining device of claim 10 wherein said base members aresubstantially rigid and wherein said yieldable elements are adapted tosubstantially deflect thereby preventing said retaining device fromcausing said reel to bind.

12. The web retaining device of claim 11 further comprising a means forconnecting said elements to said cartridge thereby orienting said devicewithin said cartridge in a preselected position.

13. A cartridge for a strip of flexible web material on a reel havingflanges and adapted for use in automatic feed-out means comprising:

a reel receptacle having a substantially planar back portion;

a cover adapted to fit over said reel receptacle to substantiallyenclose a reel in said receptacle wherein said reel receptacle and saidcover are arranged to form a threading aperture on the bottom end of theassembled cartridge adapted to enable said automatic feed-out means topass into said cartridge and to permit a strip of flexible web materialto be fed from said reel out of said cartridge; and

a web retaining device spaced from said back portion and positioned topenetrate the space between the flanges of said reel along a portion ofthe circumference of said reel, said web retaining device having aplurality of flexible elements wherein the free end of said elements isadapted to extend between the flanges of said reel thereby guiding saidflexible web material through said threading aperture.

14. The cartridge of claim 13 wherein said web retaining device furthercomprises a base means wherein said flexible elements extend from saidbase means.

15. The cartridge of claim 14 wherein said base means is rigid andwherein said plurality of flexible elements are serially connected tosaid base means.

16. The cartridge of claim 15 wherein said flexible elements arearranged to form a non-circular curve.

17. The cartridge of claim 16 further comprising means for connectingsaid web retaining device to the interior of said cartridge inapreselected position.

18. The cartridge of claim 17 wherein said connecting means com rises afirst groove member in said back portion and a irst extending clipportion on said web retaining device whereby said clip portion engagessaid groove member thereby connecting said web retaining device in saidcartridge.

19. The cartridge of claim 17 wherein said flexible elements furthercomprise a V shaped groove configuration which is adapted to engage saidweb at laterally spaced points.

20. The cartridge of claim 19 further comprising a ledge portion on saidback portion whereby said web retaining device is positioned laterallyagainst said ledge portion.

21. The cartridge of claim 16 wherein said web retaining device and saidreel receptacle are integrally formed.

22. The cartridge of claim 16 wherein said web retaining devicecomprises three flexible elements.

23. The cartridge of claim 14 wherein each of said flexible elementscomprises a first and a second end and wherein said first end of saidfirst flexible element extends from said base means.

24. The cartridge of claim 23 wherein the first end of said secondflexible element is connected to said first flexible elementintermediate to the first and second ends of said first flexible elementwhereby said first and second flexible elements form a non-circularcurve.

1. A web retaining device in combination with a cartridge adapted toaccept a reel, having flanges, containing a web wound in convolutionsaround the hub of said reel, and adapted for use in automatic feed-outmeans, the improvement comprising: a plurality of yieldable elementslocated within said cartridge, said yieldable elements having free endswherein said free ends extend between the flanges of said reel therebyretaining the web between said flanges; and access means located withinsaid cartridge and said web retaining device adapted to enable saidautomatic feed-out means to pass into said cartridge to permit said webto be fed from said reel in said cartridge.
 2. The web retaining deviceof claim 1 wherein each of said yieldable elements extends from a basemember and wherein said base member is connected to said cartridgethereby orienting said device within said cartridge in a preselectedposition.
 3. The web retaining device of claim 2 wherein said basemember is substantially rigid and wherein each of said yieldableelements is adapted to substantially deflect thereby preventing saidretaining device from causing said reel to bind.
 4. The web retainingdevice of claim 3 wherein said yieldable elements define at least threeresilient fingers serially connected to one another thereby forming anoncircular curve.
 5. The web retaining device of claim 4 wherein saidyieldable elements comprise a width less than the spacing of said reelflanges thereby causing said flanges to extend radially outwardly beyondsaid yieldable elements.
 6. The web retaining device of claim 1 whereinsaid yieldable elements cooperate with each other to form a non-circularcurve.
 7. The web retaining device of claim 1 wherein said yieldableelements further include a ''''V'''' shaped groove configuration whichis adapted to engage said web at laterally spaced points.
 8. The webretaining device of claim 1 wherein said device and said cartridgecomprise a unitary structure.
 9. A web retaining device in combinationwith a cartridge adapted to accept a reel having flanges, containing aweb wound in convolutions around the hub of said reel, and adapted foruse in automatic feed-out means, the improvement comprising: a pluralityof elements located within said cartridge, each of said elements havinga base portion and a flexible portion extending from said base portionand wherein said flexible portions are adapted to extend between theflanges of said reel thereby retaining the web between said flanges; andaccess means located within said cartridge and said web retaining deviceadapted to enable said automatic feed-out means to pass into saidcartridge to permit said web to be fed from said reel.
 10. The webretaining device of claim 9 wherein the base portion of one of saidelements is connected to a second of said elements intermediate saidbase portion and said flexible portion of said second element therebyforming a non-circular curve.
 11. The web retaining device of claim 10wherein said base members are substantially rigid and wherein saidyieldable elements are adapted to substantially deflect therebypreventing said retaining device from causing said reel to bind.
 12. Theweb retaining device of claim 11 further comprising a means forconnecting said elements to said cartridge thereby orienting said devicewithin said cartridge in a preselected position.
 13. A cartridge for astrip of flexible web material on a reel having flanges and adapted foruse in automatic feed-out means comprising: a reel receptacle having asubstantially planar back portion; a cover adapted to fit over said reelreceptacle to substantially enclose a reel in said receptacle whereinsaid reel receptacle and said cover are arranged to form a threadingaperture on the bottom end of the assembled cartridge adapted to enablesaid automatic feed-out means to pass into said cartridge and to permita strip of flexible web material to be fed from said reel out of saidcartridge; and a web retaining device spaced from said back portion andpositioned to penetrate the space between the flanges of said reel alonga portion of the circumference of said reel, said web retaining devicehaving a plurality of flexible elements wherein the free end of saidelements is adapted to extend between the flanges of said reel therebyguiding said flexible web material through said threading aperture. 14.The cartridge of claim 13 wherein said web retaining device furthercomprises a base means wherein said flexible elements extend from saidbase means.
 15. The cartridge of claim 14 wherein said base means isrigid and wherein said plurality of flexible elements are seriallyconnected to said base means.
 16. The cartridge of claim 15 wherein saidflexible elements are arranged to form a non-circular curve.
 17. Thecartridge of claim 16 further comprising means for connecting said webretaining device to the interior of said cartridge in a preselectedposition.
 18. The cartridge of claim 17 wherein said connecting meanscomprises a first groove member in said back portion and a firstextending clip portion on said web retaining device whereby said clipportion engages said groove member thereby connecting said web retainingdevice in said cartridge.
 19. The cartridge of claim 17 wherein saidflexible elements further comprise a ''''V'''' shaped grooveconfiguration which is adapted to engage said web at laterally spacedpoints.
 20. The cartridge of claim 19 further comprising a ledge portionon said back portion whereby said web retaining device is positionedlaterally against said ledge portion.
 21. The cartridge of claim 16wherein said web retaining device and said reel receptacle areintegrally formed.
 22. The cartridge of claim 16 wherein said webretaining device comprises three flexible elements.
 23. The cartridge ofclaim 14 wherein each of said flexible elements comprises a first and asecond end and wherein said first end of said first flexible elementextends from said base means.
 24. The cartridge of claim 23 wherein thefirst end of said second flexible element is connected to said firstflexible element intermediate to the first and second ends of said firstflexible element whereby said first and second flexible elements form anon-circular curve.